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Something wrong with my new decoder??

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  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Sturgis South Dakota
  • 169 posts
Something wrong with my new decoder??
Posted by froggy on Sunday, April 10, 2011 2:47 PM

I recently  bought a new GP-9 with a NCE decoder, it is N scale. I am using NCE on my layout and have never encountered a problem like this.I can't return it because I bought it new on Ebay.I might never do that again.This was programed by my train club on the computer.This loco wants to move when it shouldn't and alot of time it will not move when it doesn't want to. I am cofused why it is doing this.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, April 10, 2011 2:52 PM

Are you sure you have the correct decoder address selected with your NCE system?  It sounds like the decoder address may not be set or selected properly.

Try reprogramming CV 29 to a value of 34 if you are using a long address, to turn off DC operation of the decoder and see if that helps.

Which NCE DCC system do you have, a PowerCab or ProCab ?   If it's the PowerCab, make sure you have the proper cables connected to the power panel jacks according to the diagram in the manual.

Do you have more than one DCC equipped locomotive so you can tell for sure if the problem is just with this one locomotive's decoder or if they all act this way?

 

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Posted by Hamltnblue on Sunday, April 10, 2011 2:56 PM

The decoder is probably fine.

First start by doing a reset.  The decoder manual will have the number for reset. It's probably setting CV8 to a value of 8.

After resetting the loco address will be back to 3. 

Also the first thing you should do is set CV29 to a value of 34.  This will turn off the DC function which is usually why loco's take off on their own.

 

Springfield PA

  • Member since
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  • From: Sturgis South Dakota
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Posted by froggy on Sunday, April 10, 2011 3:00 PM

That is another question I've always wondered the answer. I made a program track that I connected to a DTDP switch.I I to the part about programming on the program track and when it gets to the steps I am LOST about what numbers to put in. I would like if someone could walk me thru the steps of programming a loco.Maybe write it down for me. Thanks

  • Member since
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  • From: Sturgis South Dakota
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Posted by froggy on Sunday, April 10, 2011 3:03 PM

I did not get any paper with it. Just the new loco in the Atlas box that says it is powered with NCE.I need help with setting CVs How do I change CVs and so on.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Sunday, April 10, 2011 3:04 PM

Read the manual that came with your DCC system -- NCE explains step-by-step exactly how to program a decoder, even showing the display that you should see on the controller for each step.

Any NCE decoder manual has a listing of CVs and explains what each one does, regardless of the decoder type that is in the locomotive --

For example, the NCE D13SR manual should apply to any NCE decoder:

http://www.ncedcc.com/pdf/d13sr.pdf 

But since you bought this locomotive on e-Bay, it's possible that the decoder is bad.  You should never purchase something like that through e-Bay without reading the seller's description very carefully -- he may have stated that the decoder is shot.  Or it may not be propery installed.

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Posted by Hamltnblue on Sunday, April 10, 2011 3:21 PM

Good Point.

If you go through the menu options you will have selections for things like DC operation. Just select NO for that one.

Springfield PA

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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Sunday, April 10, 2011 3:37 PM

 This is probably a recent Atlas release which are now using decoders supplied by NCE> Since it's an NCE decoder, the decoder recovery option on the PowerCab shoudl work to fully reset it. WHen that process completes the decoer should operate on address 3. Note that it is 3, without any leading zeros - 003 on NCE is NOT the same as 3.  You should at least have basic functionality - control speed, move forward and backwards, turn the lights on and off. It may need to be cranked up a bit to get moving, but stuff like that can be fixed up later. First we want to see if it will even run at all

               --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Sturgis South Dakota
  • 169 posts
Posted by froggy on Sunday, April 10, 2011 6:55 PM

I just went out to the layout and got the book out. I went thru it at the beggining. Thought everything was right but when I turn the power onto the layout it just moves fast on it's own.Like I said it goes when it wants to and doesn't move when it does'nt want to. I'll never buy from Ebay again.I would hope I would'nt have to buy a different decoder.

  • Member since
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Posted by locoi1sa on Sunday, April 10, 2011 7:21 PM

How does it run at the club? Did you do a reset? Does your program track read the decoder? What DCC system does your club use? If it is a Lenz system version 3.6 they may have to disable Railcom. Version 3.6 Railcom has been known to scramble NCE decoders. I had to reset all of mine and also disable Railcom in the Lenz systems.

       Pete

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
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  • From: Sturgis South Dakota
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Posted by froggy on Sunday, April 10, 2011 8:16 PM

The club is 30 miles from and a friend who works at the LHS met me there. The club has a NCE system and we didn't run it  a few seconds after he supposedly programed it.At home when I power the system it movesw very fast and sometimes will not move when I want it to.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Sturgis South Dakota
  • 169 posts
Posted by froggy on Sunday, April 10, 2011 8:34 PM

I have 8 with DCC and sound and this one does'nt have sound but it's the only one that's doing this.

  • Member since
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  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
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Posted by cacole on Sunday, April 10, 2011 9:12 PM

Reset the decoder to its factory default settings by programming a value of 2 into CV 30 on the programming track

The procedure to do this is to press the PROG/ESC key 4 times until the display reads "USE PROGRAM TRK"; then press ENTER.

The next screen prompt will be 1=STD  2=CV  3=REG.  Press the number 2 and then ENTER..

The next prompt will read PROG CV   ENTER CV NUM.  Type in 30 and press ENTER.

The next prompt will read ENTER VALUE:   Type in the number 2 and press ENTER.

Press the PROG/ESC key to exit programming track mode and return to the normal display.

Put the loco back on the main line and it should run on address 3. 

During programming at the club they may have set the wrong CVs.  A factory reset should cure the problem.

Then you need to read the PowerCab manual section about PROGRAMMING A LOCOMOTIVE ADDRESS and learn how to program a decoder using it instead of relying on someone at the club who may know less than you do.

 

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • From: Sturgis South Dakota
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Posted by froggy on Sunday, April 10, 2011 9:31 PM

Probably the first thing I'll do is try to get in running when I want it too.

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Posted by cadman11 on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 1:20 AM

I had the same problem with an NCE I installed in a Broadway limited steamer. The thing wouldn't run and then all of a sudden run like a bat out of H____. Couldn't control the speed. Did a factory reset with no change. Tried a new decoder...problem solved. I don't beat my head against the wall after a reset and the first thing I do is change the decoder.

cadman

Thom Owen

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